Reykjavik
Forbidding yet compelling, the pointed, monolithic Hallgrimskirkja is indicative of the Icelandic capital’s severe, intense beauty. Surrounded by arresting elemental landscapes of ice, earth and aurora, the nearby Blue Lagoon makes for a nourishing terrestrial experience. Journey through engrossing Icelandic history at the Saga Museum, witness modern art and architecture scattered throughout the city, and join in the festivities of Laugavegur’s nightlife, still reeling from Reykjavik’s urban and natural wonders.